Carmen Lundy's debut album was so strong that it's surprising a follow-up was not released domestically for another six years. This excellent effort for the soon-defunct Black Hawk label uses a variety of personnel, including several horn players (trumpeters
Jon Faddis,
Cecil Bridgewater and/or
Earl Gardner, trombonist
Steve Turre and altoist
Bobby Watson, who provided the arrangements) on four of the eight selections; the other numbers showcase
Lundy with a rhythm section including keyboardist
Harry Whitaker.
Lundy (who puts the right amount of feeling into "Love for Sale") has both a flexible range and the ability to sing beautiful low notes. She is also a talented composer, as she shows by contributing five of the eight songs. Well worth searching for. ~ Scott Yanow